Youth standing up against racism

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Ranjan K Baruah

(With direct inputs from UN publication and feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)

Young people are power houses for many things. It is said that youth power means nation's power or power for the entire world if utilized in a positive way. Equality is important for the progress of humanity around the world. Human rights and equality are a must if we want to achieve global goals. The United Nations General Assembly reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. The UN also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.

We are aware how racial discrimination is a dangerous threat for many. Racial discrimination was more common in the past but it has not ended completely from the world. The United Nations has been concerned with this issue since its foundation and the prohibition of racial discrimination is enshrined in all core international human rights instruments. It places obligations on States and tasks them with eradicating discrimination in the public and private spheres. The principle of equality also requires States to adopt special measures to eliminate conditions that cause or help to perpetuate racial discrimination.

The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. In 1979, the UN General Assembly adopted a programme of activities to be undertaken during the second half of the Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination. On that occasion, the General Assembly decided that a week of solidarity with the peoples struggling against racism and racial discrimination, beginning on 21 March, would be organized annually in all States.

The theme for this year's celebration is focusing on young people. This year's theme is "Youth standing up against racism". It engages the public through #FightRacism, which aims to foster a global culture of tolerance, equality and anti-discrimination and calls on each and every one of us to stand up against racial prejudice and intolerant attitudes.

COVID-19 has heavily impacted young people, including those from minority backgrounds. Many are now grappling with an increase in racial discrimination, in addition to severe disruptions to their education; diminished employment prospects; and limited ability to participate in public life, which stymies their individual and social empowerment.

António Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN in his message on the occasion said that "Racism is a deeply rooted global evil, it transcends generations and contaminates societies, it perpetuates inequality, oppression and marginalization. We see racism in the pervasive discrimination suffered by people of African descent. We see it in the injustices and oppression endured by indigenous peoples and other ethnic minorities."

"Wherever we see racism, we must condemn it without reservation, without hesitation, without qualification," he added. He had appealed to young people everywhere, as well as educators and leaders, to teach the world that all people are born equal.

On this day, and every day, let us work together to rid the world of the pernicious evil of racism so all may live in a world of peace, dignity and opportunity. This year, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination highlights the important role of youth, who have been in the forefront of the fight against racism. Young people's attitudes and deeds will say aloud the future shape and what we want to do when it comes to ensuring human rights for all.